DAM CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of ChinaAddress: No. 2, Lane 2, Baiguang Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, ChinaPostcode: 100053http://www.mwr.gov.cn

DAM CONSTRUCTION AND

MANAGEMENTIN CHINA

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Dam Construction and Managementin China1. Overview

1.1 Reservoirs

China is one of the countries that has a very long history in building dams and reservoirs. The Anfengtang Reservoir in the Huai River Basin was built during the Warring States period, around 2,600 years ago. The reservoir is still serving multiple purposes including irrigation, thanks to good maintenance over many generations. Since 1949, China has been engaged in large-scale construction of water conservancy and built a large number of reservoirs that are critical to people’s livelihood and overall socioeconomic development, and play a major role in flood prevention, water supply, irrigation, power generation and environmental improvement.

Anfengtang Reservoir

China is also one of the countries in the world that has the most reservoirs. According to the Bulletin of the First National Census for Water, as of 31 December 2011, there were 98,002 reservoirs in China (excluding Hong Kong

SAR, Macao SAR & Taiwan)(See Table 1 for details), of which, 97,246 were completed and 756 still in progress, registering a combined reservoir capacity of 932.312 billion m3.

Layout of major reservoirs, water projects and dikes in China

Size TotalLarge

MediumSmall

Subtotal Large (1) Large (2) Subtotal Small (1) Small (2)

No. 98,002 756 127 629 3,938 93,308 17,949 75,359

Combined capacity

(in billion m3)

932.312 749.985 566.507 183.478 111.976 70.351 49.638 20.713

Table 1 Number and Combined Capacity of Reservoirs in Various Sizes

In terms of regional distribution, the number of reservoirs in Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shangdong, Hubei and Yunnan provinces account for over 60% of the national total, of which, Hunan has 14,121 reservoirs, ranking No.1 in the country, accounting for 14.4% of the national total.

1.2 Construction of Dams

Hydropower is both a renewable energy encouraged by the government, and the best green energy. At present, the installed capacity of large hydropower stations under construction in China accounts for over 50% of the world total. In addition, China is a world leader in terms of dam building technology, engineering quality, and budgetary estimate control capacity.

In July 2015, the construction of the tallest dam in the world-the 314m-high clay core earth rock fill dam of Shuangjiangkou hydropower station on the Dadu River was commenced. Hitherto, China ranks No. 1 in the world in terms of the number of reservoirs, number of high dams (≥ 100m in height), and the number of ultra-high dams under construction (≥ 200m in height). The world’s highest arch dam, highest concrete face rock fill dam, and highest compacted concrete dam are all located in China.

China has built 20 large reservoirs (≥10 billion m3 in capacity) or high dams (≥200m in height) (refer to Table 2 for details). At the same time, over 10 such large reservoirs are planned or under construction (refer to Table 3 for details).

550.6

45.0%7.0%

LargeMediumSmall

LargeMediumSmall

48.0%

1.0%4.0%

95.0%

Fig. 1 Water flows of reservoirs in various sizes

550.6

45.0%7.0%

LargeMediumSmall

LargeMediumSmall

48.0%

1.0%4.0%

95.0%

Fig. 2 Ratio of combined capacity of reservoirs in various sizes

Serial No. Project Name River Dam Type Dam Height

(m)Capacity

(100 million m3)

Installed capacity

(10,000kW)

Completion time

(Year)

1 Three Gorges Yangtze River Concrete gravity dam 181 393 2250 2009

2 Danjiangkou Han RiverConcrete wide seam gravity

dam117 339.1 90

Dam height increase

completed in 2013

3 Longyangxia Yellow RiverConcrete

gravity arch dam

178 276.3 128 1990

4 Nuozhadu Lancang River Earth core rock fill dam 261.5 237.03 585 2014

5 Xinan River Xinan River Concrete gravity dam 105 216.26 66.25 1959

6 Longtan Hongshui River

Roller compacted

concrete gravity dam

192(216.5)

162.1(630)

490(long term) 2008

7 Sanmenxia Yellow River Concrete gravity dam 106 162 41 1961

8 Xiaowan Lancang RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

294.5 150.43 420 2010

9 Shuifeng Yalu River Concrete gravity dam 106.4 146.66 90 1943

10 Xinfeng River Xinfeng River Concrete gravity dam 105 138.96 29.25 1976

11 Xiluodu Jinsha RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

285.5 126.7 1386 2014

12 Xiaolangdi Yellow River Clay inclined wall dam 160 126.5 180 2001

13 Fengman 2nd Songhua River

Concrete gravity dam 91.7 108 100.4 1953

14 TianshengqiaoGrade I Nanpan River Concrete face

rock fill dam 178 102.57 120 2000

15 Jinping Grade I Yalong RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

305 77.6 360 2014

16 Lawaxi Yellow RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

250 10.79 420 2010

17 Ertan Yalong RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

240 58 330 1996

18 Shuibuya Qing River Concrete face rock fill dam 233 45.8 184 2008

19 Goupitan Wu RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

230.5 64.55 300 2010

20 Guangzhao Beipan River

Roller compacted

concrete gravity dam

200.5 32.45 104 2009

Table 2 Completed High Dams (≥200m) and Large Reservoirs (≥10 billion m3) in China

Serial No. Name River Type Height

(m)Capacity

(100 million m3)

Installed capacity

(10,000kW)Note

1 Beihetan Jinsha RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

289 206.02 1400 Planned

2 Shuangjiangkou Dadu River Earth core rock fill dam 314 29.42 200 Under

construction

3 Lianghekou Yalong River Earth core rock fill dam 295 108 300 Planned

4 Wudongde Jinsha RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

265 74.05 960 Planned

5 Cihaxia Yellow River Concrete face rock fill dam 254 46.47 260 Planned

6 Shangzhai Zhuosijia River Earth core rock fill dam 253 10.95 45 Planned

7 Dashixia Kumalake River Concrete face rock fill dam 251 10.95 60 Planned

8 Changheba Dadu River Earth core rock fill dam 240 10.75 390 Under

construction

9 Houziyan Dadu River Concrete face rock fill dam 223 7.04 170 Under

construction

10 Jiangping River Loushui River Concrete face rock fill dam 219 13.66 45 Under

construction

11 Dagangshan Dadu RiverDouble

curvature arch dam

210 7.42 260 Under construction

12 Huangdeng Lancang River

Roller compacted

concrete gravity dam

202 16.13 190 Planned

Table 3 High Dams (≥200m in height) and Large Reservoirs (≥10 billion m3 in capacity) Planned or Under Construction in China

1.3 Reservoir Management

1.3.1 The Reservoir Management System

China exercises a tiered management system over reservoirs with central & local governments taking respective responsibilities. The competent water administration under the State Council, together with other competent departments of the State Council, exercise supervision over the safety of dams across the country. Competent water administrations of local governments above the county level, together

with relevant departments at the same level, exercise supervision over the safety of reservoirs within their respective administrative regions. Flood control headquarters at various government levels are responsible for flood control regulation and safety supervision during the flood seasons in accordance with their respective mandates. Water, energy, construction, communications and agriculture authorities are responsible for dam management within their respective jurisdictions. Most of the reservoirs are managed by water authorities, followed by the power sector, whereas a large number of small

reservoirs are owned by rural collective economic organizations, with the local township government administering their safety. Following the development of the socialist market economy, all kinds of economic organizations have got involved in the development and management of reservoirs, and thereby become the new-type owners of reservoirs.

1.3.2 Reinforcement of Risky Reservoirs

Following the catastrophic floods in the Yangtze River, Songhua River, and Liao River basins in 1998, China initiated a large-scale program on reinforcement of risky reservoirs. By the end of 2010, reinforcement was carried out on 9,500 risky reservoirs with total approved investment of RMB 117.68 billion, of which, RMB 106.68 billion has already been invested. A reinforcement program covering 5,400 Type (1) small risky reservoirs was initiated in July 2010, with total planned investment of RMB 24.4 billion, and fully completed prior to the flood season of 2012. In April 2011, another reinforcement program covering 41,000 key Type (2) small reservoirs was initiated, with planned investment totaling RMB 38.14 billion and reinforcement to the rest 25,000 Type (2) small reservoirs still in progress and planned to be completed by the end of 2015. In addition, central public finance has made funds available for reinforcement of 4,073

small reservoirs newly identified as risky, which shall also be completed by the end of 2015.

As at present, over 50, 000 reservoirs of various sizes have been reinforced with the help of central government subsidies and local investments.

2. Main Achievements & Challenges

2.1 Main Achievements

At present, the combined capacity of all the reservoirs built in China accounts for 1/5 of total annual river runoff in China. 310 million people, 132 large and medium-sized cities and 32 million hectares of farmland are located within the flood control range of these reservoirs. The reservoirs, supplying 240 billion m3 of water each year, or 37% of the national total, serve as a reliable water source for 16 million hectares of arable land and over 100 large and medium-sized cities. In addition, these reservoirs combine to an installed capacity of over 200 million kW hydropower, accounting for 22% of the national total, and generate 17% of the total annual power output of the whole country.

Reservoirs play an important role in flood control and disaster mitigation. In particular, they help to fend off catastrophic floods by flood detention and peak shaving, thus playing an irreplaceable role in preventing floods and mitigating disasters. Reservoir regulation also plays a key role in replenishing freshwater to suppress salt water intrusion in the Pearl River, in safeguarding water supply security in Macao SAR and the Pearl River Delta and in tackling the outbreak of pollution in the Songhua River. Thanks to large-scale reservoir and dam construction, China has gradually improved its capacity for supplying water resources and ensuring water security, guaranteeing water supply for industry, agriculture, urban life and environmental protection. The growth of hydropower output supplies a big chunk of clean energy for the Dahuofang Reservoir in Liaoning Province

fast growing Chinese economy, and helps to effectively improve the energy mix and reduce environmental pollution in China.

2.2 Key Projects

2.2.1 The Three Gorges Comprehensive Water Conservancy Project on the Yangtze River

With 39.3 billion m3 reservoir capacity, the Three Gorges Project is the largest comprehensive water project in the world, serving multiple purposes including flood control, power generation, navigation and ecological water supplement. The project consists of the dam, the hydropower station and navigation structures. The construction of the Project started in 1994. Damming of the Yangtze River was done in 1997. In 2003 the sluice gate began water storage; the first sets of generators started power generation; and the permanent ship-lock initiated operations. In May 2007, the top of Three Gorges Dam was grouted. In October 2010, water storage level reached 175m for the first time. The Three Gorges Dam is a concrete gravity dam,

with a maximum height of 181m, and total grouting of 26.43 million m3. The hydropower station has a total installed capacity of 22,500MW, and generates over 100 billion kWh of electricity each year. Massive in size, the Three Gorges Dam is also an exemplary project featuring excellent engineering quality, high safety and reliability, short construction cycle, cost-effective investment, and full realization of multiple benefits.

2.2.2 The Xiaolangdi Comprehensive Water Conservancy Project on the Yellow River

The Xiaolangdi Comprehensive Water Conservancy Project registers a total reservoir capacity of 12.65 billion m3. It not only helps control floods on the Yellow River, but also regulates water and sediment along the river by intercepting sediments with the use of its sedimentation storage capacity, and thereby mitigates sedimentation-induced elevation of the river beds on the lower reaches. It is a loam slopping core rock fill dam, with a maximum height of 160m. The Xiaolangdi project started construction in 1994, completed the main body by 2001, went through final

Three Gorges Dam is discharging water

inspection for project acceptance in April 2009, and resettled 200,000 affected population.

2.2.3 Ertan Hydropower Project

With 3,300MW installed capacity, Ertan Hydropower Station is the largest hydropower station completed and commissioned in China in the 20th century. The construction of the double curvature arch dam started in 1991 and was completed in 1999. With a maximum height of 240m, it is the highest arch dam in Asia, and the 3rd highest in the world. It is also the first hydropower project in China that comprehensively practiced international competitive tendering, executed

the project owner responsibility system and followed the FIDIC conditions of contract. In 2006, the project won the top honor for environmental protection by construction projects in China – The National Award for Environment-Friendly Engineering Projects.

2.2.4 Jinping Grade I Hydropower Project

Jinping Grade I Hydropower Station is a reservoir for annual water regulation. It has a total reservoir capacity of 7.76 billion m3, and a regulation capacity

of 4.91 billion m3. A concrete double curvature arch dam with a maximum height of 305m, it is the highest double curvature arch dam in the world. The hydropower station registers an installed capacity of 3.3 million kW, guaranteed power output of 1.109 million kW, and average annual power generation volume of 16.287 billion kWh. The project started construction in 2005, and was completed and put into operation in 2014.

2.3 Challenges

2.3.1 Social and economic development still produces considerable demands for dam construction.

China is a vast country with a huge population. Its precipitation is distributed unevenly in time and space; its rivers lack self-regulating capacity; floods and droughts take place with high frequency;

Xiaolangdi Project

Ertan Hydropower Station in Sichuan Province

Jinping Grade I Hydropower Project

water shortage is both resource-based and caused by inadequate water structures. A certain number of reservoirs still need be constructed in order to effectively regulate floods and water resources, ensure flood control safety, water supply safety, grain security, energy security and ecological security.

2.3.2 Greater importance should be attached to dam safety.

Urbanization results in the concentration and growth of population along the lower reaches of reservoirs, whereas ever more infrastructure construction exposes the dams to more risks. Occasional dam collapse incidents warn us that it is imperative to enhance safety performance of dams on the one hand, and improve emergency responses on the other. Remarkable achievements have been made following years of reinforcements to the risky reservoirs. Such reinforcement exercise, however, remains a long-term task as facilities are aging, legacy problems linger on, and more water supply is needed for development.

2.3.3 Scientific approaches are required to tackle emerging issues associated with the construction and management of dams.

We need to study and address changes in the ways

water is supplied in the downstream of reservoirs as a result of socioeconomic development, properly handle the requirements for environmental and ecological protection in the course of developing and operating reservoirs, tackle issues associated with better protection of natural and cultural heritages, improve the conditions for relocation and resettlement, and manage problems associated with earthquakes, extreme weather events and other natural disasters.

3. Guiding Philosophies andMain Measures

We will continue to uphold the basic state policy on conserving resources and protecting the environment, and stick to the concept of people-orientation and harmony between Man and Nature. Specifically, efforts will be made to effectively combine development and construction of reservoirs/dams with integrated utilization of water resources, and combine ecological improvement with regional economic development. Great attention will be paid to ecological issues associated with the development of reservoirs, and effective protection of the legitimate rights of the affected population in need of resettlement. We will strike a balance between economic, social and ecological benefits of reservoirs and dams, construct a group of backbone water conservancy projects with the pooling of resources, and develop and utilize hydro resources in a scientific and orderly manner so

Permanent five-stage ship lock of the Three Gorges Project

The Bakun Dam in Malaysia is constructed by a Chinese company

that 60% of total hydro resources will be developed by 2030.

Equal attention will be paid to construction and management of dams, while consistent emphasis will be placed on dam safety management. Legislation on dam safety will be enhanced to further improve the legal framework and standards system for dam safety management. A comprehensive reservoir and dam safety responsibility system with clear division of duties for responsible persons in various categories will be put in place, the core of which will be the local administrative head responsibility system. A management mechanism that facilitates sound operation of reservoirs will be established and project management effectively improved so as to make sure reservoirs could better safeguard interests of the general public, and provide basic public services to the society. No efforts will be spared in reinforcement of risky reservoirs so that the overall safety of reservoirs and dams in China will be secured. More investments will be made to push forward advancement of science and technology, in a view to optimizing reservoir management and regulation with the use of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions. Further efforts will be exerted to properly manage the dilemma between flood control and benefit enhancement, and promote harmony between Man and Nature, in the hope that benefits of reservoirs/dams to human beings will be maximized and negative impacts of reservoirs/dams minimized. Continuous enhancement of risk awareness will include step-by-step construction of a dam safety emergency management mechanism to reinforce capacity building for better emergency response, more effective prevention and control of disasters relating to dam collapses, and successful safeguard of public security and public interest in the lower reaches of the dams.

4. International Cooperation and Exchanges

Since the 1990s, there have been more frequent bilateral exchanges in the field of water resources. The Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) has established regular bilateral exchange relations with Japan, South Korea, UK, the Netherlands, Canada, USA, Brazil and Switzerland, and engaged in non-regular bilateral exchanges with many countries in the world. MWR completed “Sino-Canada Dam Safety Cooperation” programs and the “Sino-Australia Dam Risk Management Cooperation Program”, and initiated the Sino-Japan Reservoir Operation & Management Capacity Building Program and the Sino-Switzerland Dam Safety Reinforcement Program. The ministry also organizes annual academic exchanges for the dam commissions of China, Japan, and South Korea. With regard to project construction, the Xiaolangdi Reservoir Project successfully brought in foreign capital, adopted international competitive tendering, and applied the globally accepted FIDIC contract terms as the exclusive norm for project construction and technical specification, which helps accumulate valuable experiences for the construction and management of water conservancy and hydropower projects in China.

Over the last few years, MWR has successfully hosted the International Conference on Large Dams in 2000, the International Symposium on Dam Safety & Potential Danger Detection in 2005, the International Symposium on Reservoir and Dam Safety Management in 2008, the 1st International Workshop on Rock-fill Dams in 2009, and the International Workshop on Dam Technology and Sustainability in 2011. These events boosted international exchanges and cooperation, and helped Chinese talents in water science and technology to go global. During the 77th Annual Conference of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) in 2011, a Chinese expert was elected the 22nd President of the Commission.

DAM CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of ChinaAddress: No. 2, Lane 2, Baiguang Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, ChinaPostcode: 100053http://www.mwr.gov.cn

DAM CONSTRUCTION AND

MANAGEMENTIN CHINA

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA